Internet Cafe Devotions - Lately

Lately: "

We are thrilled to WELCOME Tiffany D’Amours to the Cafe today!

Lately, things have been going really well for me. It’s been life as usual, but with God, my “life as usual” has seemed so much more like a life that I can live in. So you can only imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning feeling completely overwhelmed and 28 shades of gloomy.

I spent most of the day in this terrible funk that I just could not shake off. I cried, prayed, listened to music, watched an uplifting movie, but none of it seemed to be breaking the suffocatingly binding shekels. Unwilling to give in to the clouds, I took myself to a quite place, listened to some calming music and meditated on God’s word. I really wrapped myself in the wisdom that owns my heart.

Proverbs 12:25 tells us that,

“Anxiety weighs down the human

heart, but a good word cheers it up.” NRSV

Maybe that was just it. I was being anxious. Change is all around me. Not bad change, just change. I’m much better at embracing changes these days than I think I ever have been, but maybe my heart didn’t tell my mind and my mind didn’t communicate that to my body.

Either way, anxiety was oppressing me. The worry of how things are all going to work out, what it is God is really calling me to do, whether or not I’ll ever have another child, longing for healing from my PCOS, trying to discover who I really am, desiring answers for the future…just to name a few.

I didn’t realize just how much these things were getting to me. It was when I took a second and third look at the scripture above that God began to speak to me. My heart was heavy burdened because of the stress and anxiety I was putting on it. God informed me that though I was doing a good job being prayerful, I was in much need of the “Good Word.” The scripture in Proverbs tells us that what weighs us down can be transformed into cheer with “a good word.” I think the real key, is that everything is better with “THE Good Word.” The best medicine for our anxiety doesn’t come in a bottle from the drug store, but from God in God’s word.

What a beautiful reminder of just how much we spiritually, mentally and physically – how we wholly – are in need of our

daily doses of God. We take special care to make sure we take our vitamins, our prescriptions, healthy foods, etc. When we don’t take care of ourselves, we feel it. I can tell when I have forgotten to take my medicine…trust me. Well, I think it’s the same with God’s word. I can tell when I’ve forgotten to take my Word for the day. Today, I needed a much bigger dose of the Word to help me feel well again. There simply is no supplement for the healing power of the Word.

Pray with Me…

Lord God, today I poor myself out before you. I acknowledge how powerful your healing words are. I know that it is your desire for me to be fully well, healthy and happy. Lord God, help me to remember to take my medicine, your Word, on a daily basis. May I always turn to you first in my times of explained and unexplained sorrow. May my frown always disappear in the warmth of your light. Thank you for the rainbows after the rain. Amen.

Questions to Ponder:

1. When was the last time you turned to God’s medicine in your need for healing?

2. Is time with God and studying God’s word a part of your daily routine?

3. Have you asked God for the healing your mind, body and soul desires?

In Him,

Tiffany A. D’Amours, a.k.a Woman on a Mission

Join Tiffany daily at her website, coffeegodandme.blogspot.com.

She can also be reached at tdamours@sbcglobal.net

"

Crosswalk.com

Top 10 Articles of February 2010: "What causes some people to lose faith while others find rest in Christ? This and more in February's most popular articles."

A Virtuous Woman - A Year of Family Worship: Getting Started

A Year of Family Worship: Getting Started: "How do you get started with Family Worship if you have never done it before?
First, I would suggest you seek the Lord out and ask Him to direct your worship. After all, He is the One we are worshiping! We want it to be pleasing to Him, right?
Secondly, choose the best time of day. If [...]"

Americas Promise Alliance - Parent Engagement

Americas Promise Alliance - Parent Engagement

Parent Engagement
Engaging Parents in Dropout Prevention
Parents and caregivers are arguably the most important stakeholders in a child’s educational success. With nearly 1.3 million students dropping out of high school each year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and America’s Promise Alliance developed this toolkit to engage parents in dropout prevention and development strategies to ensure the success of all children. This toolkit is a resource for Dropout Summit conveners and community leaders bringing the parent voice into the planning process and the development of local and state action plans addressing the dropout crisis.

View our new video highlighting the importance of parent engagement

Attendance, Achievement and Attainment (3A's)

Three priorities that are clearly critical to student success throughout a child’s academic career are:
Attendance Every Day : Ensure children go to school regularly
Achievement Every Year : Monitor and help children make satisfactory progress each year
Attainment Over Time : Set high expectations for children and plan for attaining their long-term goals

These three priorities were identified because each one is critical to student success throughout a child’s academic career. Each one is heavily influenced by the actions and thinking of parents as well as educators, community-based providers and students themselves.

Hope in the Rubble

Hope in the Rubble: "Lynn Cowell

'I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength' Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)

Mind-boggling devastation filled the screen. I just couldn't wrap my mind around everything that had taken place by the earthquake in Haiti. Such suffering and pain. I went to sleep with the images firmly planted in my mind and heart.

When I awoke in the morning, I began to pray before my feet hit the ground: prayer for miracles, supplies and those who would arrive in that precious country to serve and minister to the broken. A picture of a crying baby being pulled from the rubble came to mind. After over 48 hours of no food, no water and being trapped under a collapsed house, the 18 month-old was rescued. It was truly a miracle.

My prayers moved from the Haitian crisis to praying for a loved one who has gone astray. The one I love has much in common with the newly rescued baby. He too is trapped. Trapped by the weight and destruction of bad decisions and flawed thinking patterns. What seemed like a common path many were taking led to a place of destruction.

What this precious baby and my loved one do not have in common is the desire to be free. The baby sensed something was wrong. Where was her family? Where was food and water? Why wasn't someone coming to her rescue? Such thoughts occupied her tiny immature mind. My loved one has yet to discover that he indeed needs rescuing. He has yet to recognize the weight of selfishness, unforgiveness and self-destruction pressing on him.

Do you have one you desperately love who is heading toward destruction and doesn't realize it? Do you have days when the rubble of sin seems too heavy- too much to be removed? And you just can't see how God is going to break through?

Help is arriving in Haiti. Armies, doctors, nurses and relief workers from around the world are helping. Rescue is taking place. People's lives have been saved, and in time, the destruction will be removed.

Rescue is available for our loved ones, too. Prayer is the place to begin as we hope that in the middle of their own destruction, they will see their need for rescue. When that realization becomes clear, like the tiny baby in Haiti, our loved ones will cry out for help. We know our God will be there to hear and rescue. He may use others to help them. He may call them to push away some of the debris. But more than anything, we know He wants them free.

Dear Lord, some days I grow weary of praying for my loved one. I am so glad that You don't. Please open their eyes to see the destruction they are in and give them the desire to break free. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: What to Pray When You Don’t Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann

Confessions of an Adulterous Woman: Lies that Got Me There, Truths that Brought Me Back by Lyndell Holtz

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Visit Lynn’s blog

Read one praying mother’s story The Night I Lost All Hope

Application Steps:
Is your loved one a child? A husband? A friend? Find another godly woman who will partner with you to pray daily for this person; preferably one who has had victory in her life with a loved one in this area.

Pray for divine appointments in this person's life and others who will share compassion, love and Jesus' heart with them.

Get a notebook or journal. Write your loved one's name on the front. Begin to journal prayers, verses, etc., specifically related to your loved one. Fill in their name and use the word 'you' i.e. 'Today I prayed Ephesians 1:18-19 for you. It says….' Print prayers sent to you by others and put them in the journal. Believe that one day you will give this journal to your loved one as a testimony to what God has done.

Reflections:
Were you ever someone else's wayward loved one? If so, what did the Lord do to bring you to Himself?

Are you the wayward love one? If so, do not be afraid to call out from underneath your rubble. Those around you already see it. They see you and more than anything they want you to be free and to help you to get there!

Power Verses:
Psalm 106:8, 'Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known.' (NIV)

Zephaniah 3:17, 'The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.' (NIV)

© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.

"

The Potluck Club series by Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson

The Potluck Club series by Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson: "

In the small Colorado town of Summit View, a surprising multi-generational mix of women from Grace Church meet once a week to pass a hot dish and to pray. But the Potluck Club, as they call themselves, is a recipe for disaster when they send up enough misinformed prayers to bring down a church. And the funny thing: the more they pray, the more troubles seem to come their way. It isn’t until they invite God to the table that they discover friendship is the spice of life, and a little dash of grace, just like salt, goes a long way. With charming, down-home characters, humor, poignancy, and a recipe in every chapter, The Potluck Club will keep readers hungering for more.

My Review: I have had my eye on this series for a while, and when my local Christian bookstore reduced the price, I bought it! Actually I started with the last book. This didn’t matter except that I knew some things that were coming. I grew to love these books more with each one I read. The characters are definitely people I know, and the setting is of great interest to me, since I have a son living in CO. Most of the main characters are about my age, with the exception of the sheriff’s daughter, so I think these books could appeal to almost all ages of women, but maybe especially those 35 and older. The Potluck is a prayer group within a church that gathers together to pray and eat (right up my alley!). Many recipes are included at the end of the book – which I also love. The story includes drama, laughter, and tears. Most women’s problems seem to be addressed through one or another of the characters. This book is written about women from a woman’s point of view. The Potluck Club series is Christian fiction as well as Christian chick lit, but someone of another faith could also read and enjoy it. The Potluck Club is an enjoyable winter read!

"

White House.Gov Blog Feed - Helping America Become a Grad Nation

Helping America Become a Grad Nation: "

My wife Alma and I are honored to have President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joining us today to announce a new multi-year campaign to mobilize all Americans to help end the high school dropout crisis. We call this work Grad Nation.

For the past two years, America’s Promise Alliance has been traveling the country, raising awareness about how high dropout rates and low readiness for college and work undermine our nation’s future. In nearly all 50 states and 55 cities, we have convened high-level Dropout Prevention Summits that brought together nearly 30,000 mayors and governors, business and community leaders, school administrators, students and parents. They have committed to concrete action plans to improve graduation rates in their states and communities.

To that end, the time for talking and planning has ended. Now we must turn our attention to solutions. This means acting on all the lessons we’ve learned at our summits, and more importantly, making sure all Americans see their stake in this and join us to reach an important goal, which is to see that 90 percent of today’s fourth-graders graduate from high school on time. If we achieve this, we will not only be a more healthy and prosperous nation, but we can also help realize President Obama’s goal of making the United States the global pacesetter of college graduation by 2020.

The simple proposition is this—improving graduation rates is not just an education issue; it’s a community issue. We cannot expect more from our schools and young people until all Americans are prepared to be more involved, because so many of the building blocks that make for success in school involve effort outside of the classroom.

Grad Nation is the way for us to mobilize to win this battle.

Much like the Olympic athletes we’ve been inspired by recently, we all need to push past our comfort levels and make our work benefit something greater than ourselves — our country. Whether it is through City Year’s “In School and On Track” initiative or The First Tee’s National School Program, our nearly 400 national Alliance partners and their local affiliates are stepping up to lead the way. We’re already seeing the impact of this type work in cities like Philadelphia and Tucson, which have improved their graduation rates by more than 20 percentage points in a decade.

So the question remains: What will you do? How can you help? The choice is simple. If we are to remain a great nation, we must be a Grad Nation.

To learn more about America’s Promise Alliance and Grad Nation, visit: http://www.americaspromise.org/.

General Colin Powell is founding chairman of America’s Promise Alliance

"

Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day: Job 23:10-11

Job 23:10-11: "“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.”"

The Gospel.com Blog - Today’s devotional: whose strength?

Today’s devotional: whose strength?: "

Whose strength and wisdom gets you through each day—God’s, or your own? The Bible speaks often of God’s immense power, wisdom, and strength, but that doesn’t stop most of us from relying on ourselves most of the time and calling on God only when our own abilities seem inadequate.

In a devotional at Lifetime Guarantee Ministries, Anabel Gillham describes the process through which she finally came to realize that God’s strength, and not her own, was what she needed to cope with life’s challenges:

Let’s just say that my attitude was, “I’ll call You if I need You, God.” And I never really thought through that mindset…. After years in an unhappy marriage, after having a profoundly retarded son, after financial frugality that seemed to take the joy out of life, after dealing with the unpleasant people that I couldn’t control or make go away… I began to need Him. I began to realize, for the first time in my life, that my strength was not working. [...]

I had played “god” for a long time and was loathe to give up control. I was so sure of my ability. But God, through His patience and wonderful guiding hand in my life, brought me to the point where I can say very comfortably with Paul, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Read the full devotional at Lifetime Guarantee Ministries.

When we rely on our own strength, we will eventually find ourselves worn out and exhausted. God invites us to call on his strength instead. Are you tired from years of “playing god”? Do you need to relinquish control of your own life and turn it over to God?

"

Internet Cafe Devotions - Every Christian Family is a Miracle

Every Christian Family is a Miracle: "

God has been opening my eyes and giving me a greater understanding of what it means to bring Him glory. A few weeks ago I spent a good part of a day having a “personal retreat”, and evaluating the different areas of life:

My relationship with God, marriage, parenting, ministry, serving, relationships, being a part of the body of Christ, finances, taking care of my body.

As I evaluated each area, prayed, and read, God brought to mind ways in which I could grow. Since then I have been spending time each day praying over and reading specifically about about each area of life.

I have been struck over and over by one theme that continues to dominate every area of life:

My first priority and highest calling is to bring glory to God.

I should be pointing others to God and the gospel in all that I do.

That is what I am here for!

How is that done?

I am continuing to learn what that means, but yesterday God enlightened me a little more as I was reading through a book about biblical hospitality. The author was talking about showing hospitality and how to do that. She shared about how to draw people in and love them and how to serve them. Then she said, “Every Christian family is a miracle…”

That wasn’t even necessarily the theme of the chapter, but it is what jumped off the page for me!

EVERY CHRISTIAN FAMILY IS A MIRACLE!
I haven’t been able to get this out of my mind.

A miracle! It is too easy to lose sight of the miracle of The Gospel in our lives. It truly is a miracle of God when anyone responds to God drawing them to Himself and He saves them. The regeneration of just one soul is a miracle. A miracle that none of us deserve!
THEN

When two people who have been saved by grace get married and God enables them, as they seek Him, to be be faithful and to walk out their marriage in a way that exalts God, and is a picture of how Christ loves the church, It is a miracle!

THEN

When children are born and their parents again throw themselves at the feet of God, trust Him with their childrenand in all that they do, and rely on His help and strength to discipline and raise children who are taught the truths of God’s word, and those truths are lived out in the home. It is a miracle!

THEN

When children, who are drawn by the spirit, are saved by grace and choose to honor their parents and obey God, when everything around them is in rebellion. God is seen. God is glorified. It is a miracle!

EVERY CHRISTIAN FAMILY IS A MIRACLE!

Not a church going family.

Not a religious family.

A CHRISTIAN family. A family of Christ followers.

A family who, although not perfect, is authentic.

This is truly a miracle that only God can do. And when it is seen, and people are drawn in, they are able to see Christ at work in a home and it changes lives. God changes lives and draws people to himself through His work in Christian families.

The Gospel can be seen in the miracle of Christian families!

Then I wondered…What are the things that I do that actually hinder others from seeing HIS GLORY?

What do I do to divert others attention away from Him?

How about when I try to draw others attention to myself in some way…and not to God? Or when I respond impatiently with a family member, or don’t use my time wisely, or am disrespectful to my husband, or don’t die to self. How about when I am not obedient in some way, or allow entertainment into my home that is not pleasing to God. Any or all of these things could cast a shadow over my home and hide the face of Jesus..

The Christian home…

A place where Christ should be seen and The Gospel should be lived and God should be glorified.

EVERY CHRISTIAN FAMILY IS A MIRACLE.

I pray that this miracle would be evident in my home. That it will shine brightly and bring God the glory that He deserves!

(Gina has begun writing again after taking a few months off. She has some fresh, new perspective after going through some very dark times. She would love it if you stopped by for a chat and some coffee! You can find her at her personal blog: Chats With An Old Lady.)

Good Morning America - Exclusive: Gen. Powell Says Drop-Out Rate a 'Moral Catastophe' - ABC News

Exclusive: Gen. Powell Says Drop-Out Rate a 'Moral Catastophe' - ABC News

Collin and Alma Powell Discuss Kick-Off of Grad Nation Campaign

By LEE FERRAN and JEN WLACH
March 2, 2010

Shrinking Jeans - Fitness Friday::Favorite Workouts

Fitness Friday::Favorite Workouts: "

We are getting ready to embark on another odyssey of the 30 Day Shred here at the Sisterhood. I do love me some Shred, but I will be sitting this one out, since it’s not really compatible with my herniated disc problems! I thought it would be fun to write about some of my other favorite fitness activities!

Hiking. Love, love, LOVE hiking. There is nothing that compares to being out, surrounded by all of nature’s glory. Honestly, I haven’t really hiked since moving to North Dakota. I dream about it – does that count? And when I do get back to the mountains, I plan on making it a hobby. Go here to get information on trails in your area.

Racquetball. I may not really know the rules or be the most technically-efficient player, but my husband and I are pretty evenly-matched and we are extremely competitive. I have some mad flying-through-the-air jumping skills, I must say. Beware -racquetball can lead to some painful injuries. I may or may not have accidentally made my husband drop to the floor after hitting him in THAT place. Oops.

Turbo Jam Cardio Party. Think dancing mixed with kickboxing. You can do it at home and it’s a hell of a workout! I don’t know that I can do the whole workout without stopping to catch my breath!

Just Dance for Wii. So fun! Great to do with a friend or the kids! I totally broke a sweat while playing this, although I don’t know if it was from working out or laughing so hard at my horrible dance skills.

Walks (with a friend or my husband!). It is so much more fun to have company when I am out exercising. It makes the time pass so much more quickly and takes my mind off the fact that I am working out. I have problems staying motivated when I have to use a treadmill or do more than a few miles by myself, having a buddy to chat with makes exercise so much more enjoyable.

What are some of your favorite ways to burn those pesky calories??

Further Inspiration!

• Thursday three
• Day 4 Giveaway – Moving Comfort!
• Gen McNulty – How She Lost the Weight!

Shrinking Jeans: (In need of) Motivation Monday

(In need of) Motivation Monday: "

My own motivation has been a little lax lately. There’s no real reason…it just happens every once in a while. You’re coasting along and every thing is hunky dory. Suddenly, you realize that you are sitting like a bump on a log, you haven’t exercised in a week and yes you did eat a whole bag of tortilla chips in one sitting!

So what do you do? What do you do when you are supposed to be motivating people and you realize that you can’t even motivate yourself?

Personally, I find a great quote that gets me over the hump. Just something to give me that little extra push to make that first step. Here are some of my favorites:

Eighty percent of success is showing up. ~Woody Allen

Success and failure. We think of them as opposites, but they’re really not. They’re companions – the hero and the sidekick. ~Laurence Shames

Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching? ~Dennis and Wendy Mannering

Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresea, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. ~Life’s Little Instruction Book, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it. ~Anthony J. D’Angelo, The College Blue Book

Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. ~Will Rogers

Do you have a quote you live by? Something you say to yourself to get that little extra “oomph” you need? Share it in the comments!

Further Inspiration!

• Motivation Monday: Reaching Failure
• Motivation Monday: Pass It On
• Fitness Friday

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Women of Faith

"Faith"

Faith—at first a gracious gift from God, it then becomes the muscle by which we can keep on trusting. No matter what happens, it is going to be okay. — Nicole Johnson (Raising the Sail)

White House: Department of Education"Education In Focus" Kickoff

"Education In Focus" Kickoff: "
Today, I joined President Obama and Colin Powell to reaffirm our strong commitment to addressing the graduation crisis in America's high schools. America’s prosperity in the 21st century rests on how well we prepare our children for success in college and in the workplace. Because economic progress and educational achievement go hand in hand, educating every American student to graduate prepared for college and for success in a new workforce is a national imperative.

That’s why the President set a goal for America: by 2020, this nation will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.

In a feature this week called “Education in Focus,” WhiteHouse.gov will highlight the Department of Education’s events and initiatives to meet this goal.

Every day, we'll feature different sections of our agenda. Today, we're featuring the Grad Nation event. Tomorrow, I will join Melody Barnes for a live video chat about our efforts to make college affordable and accessible. On Thursday, we'll use the power of the Web to make an important announcement about the Race to the Top competition.

Through the week, we'll cover subjects such as community outreach, technology in education, the contest for high schools to have the President give their commencement address, and our plan to reform the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

I look forward to reading your comments and interacting with you over the course of the week. President Obama and I are committed to reforming our schools and making sure every student is prepared to succeed in college and careers.

Arne Duncan is Secretary of Education

Tips for Crowd-Pleasing Chicken Wings

Tips for Crowd-Pleasing Chicken Wings: "Mary Anne here. If you’re just learning to cook, chicken wings may just be your easiest and most gratifying entree into the world of home cooking. Whether you prefer sweet, spicy, homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce; fresh or dried spices; Asian-inspired, Basque, or Tex-Mex, whatever region, season or spice your palate prefers, [...]"

Cooking on Camera: How to Make a Basic Pie Crust

Cooking on Camera: How to Make a Basic Pie Crust: "Mariel here. After the holidays, it became abundantly clear that my pie crust making skills stunk. While I have no qualms with using store-bought crust, my mother, an expert baker and all-around gourmand (as you well know), wouldn’t hear of it. She promised I’d be able to master this elusive art and offered up her [...]"

8 Simple Secrets to Cut Your Risk of Heart Disease

8 Simple Secrets to Cut Your Risk of Heart Disease: "It’s American Heart Month, and the time when the American Heart Association intensifies its year-round Go Red for Women campaign, to educate women about heart disease and prevention."

Bible Study

WORSHIPTOGETHER.COM

Team Building - Thoughts from Nehemiah

Date Created: 6/5/2009
Author: Jimi WilliamsScripture
References: Nehemiah 2

I was reading through the first couple chapters of Nehemiah today and realized how many great leadership lessons there are to learn from our Biblical contractor.1. Nehemiah had a passion for people first, church second. It says in chapter 1 verse 2 that Nehemiah questioned Hanani about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. In ministry, we often get these two things reversed. We have a passion first for our ministry and second for the people. This often leads to "using" our flock to accomplish our ministry goals.2. Nehemiah was courageous. He knew that allowing the king to see him unhappy might be a death sentence. Not to mention his bold request for time off, letters of permission, and resources. However, he was willing to take the risk in order to accomplish something great for his people. We need more courage from our church leaders (speaking to myself as well) to do and say the right things even when it hurts.3. Nehemiah had a plan. In the second chapter, Nehemiah slips out of Jerusalem by night to get a firsthand look at the damaged walls. He knew he would probably get one shot to present his case to the people. He had to have a plan that was practical and inspirational. As creative people, sometimes planning isn't our strong suit. However, it is vital that we know where we are going as a team for everyone to feel safe to contribute.4. Nehemiah was patient. Notice in chapter 2 verse 11 that he stayed in Jerusalem for 3 days before heading out to inspect the wall. Now 3 days isn't very long, but there's a principle here that is often violated in church leadership. John Maxwell calls it the Law of Buy-In. It simply means that people buy into the leader before they buy into the vision. Many church leaders have crashed and burned in their first year of ministry by violating this principle. People need time to get to know a leader and for the leader to build relationships with the people. Putting programs before people will result in hurt and inevitably broken relationships.Lead well!

Bible Study

:::::: Spirit West Coast | Christian Music Festival | Del Mar - May 28 - 30 2010 | Monterey - July 1-3 2010 ::::::

:::::: Spirit West Coast Christian Music Festival Del Mar - May 28 - 30 2010 Monterey - July 1-3 2010 ::::::

North America | Faith Comes By Hearing

North America Faith Comes By Hearing

New Living Translation™: Bible Study - Article One - Why Study the Bible

New Living Translation™: Bible Study - Article One - Why Study the Bible

Being Made Perfect · Max Lucado

Being Made Perfect · Max Lucado

Today’s devotional: more than just “I’m sorry”

Today’s devotional: more than just “I’m sorry”: "

Do you know what it means to ask for—or grant—forgiveness? We see plenty of apologies offered and accepted in public life. How many politicians, disgraced pastors, or other public figures have mumbled halfhearted apologies after they’ve been caught doing something they shouldn’t?

According to Tammy De Ruyter in this Words of Hope devotional, Biblical forgiveness goes far beyond saying “I’m sorry”:

Our culture has reduced the “apology” into a justification for wrongdoing. Politicians regularly appear on television to apologize for “errors in judgment.” Sins are airbrushed as “mistakes.” A quick “I’m sorry” and everyone is expected to overlook the offense and carry on with life. And often that is what happens.

….Forgiveness, according to Scripture, demands that we look squarely at our

sins and assume full responsibility for our actions. Only then can we ask God to forgive us. We, in turn, have the responsibility to do likewise when we are sinned against. C. S. Lewis writes, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” Faith is living with the understanding of how much Christ has forgiven us, then turning around and forgiving someone else. It’s not easy, not by a long shot, but it is life-giving, God-honoring, work. Is there someone you need to

forgive today?

Read the full devotional at Words of Hope.

"
The Gospel.com Blog

Direct Student Loans

Ed.gov Direct Student Loans: "Let's eliminate subsidies for banks and use the money to help poor and middle-class Americans attend college."

Psalm 73:25-26

Psalm 73:25-26: "“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”"

Good Morning America - Get More Fiber in Your Diet to Improve Health From Marie Savard - ABC News

5 Ways to Get More Fiber in Your Diet

Dr. Marie Savard's Tips for Improving Your Health by Increasing Fiber Intake

By LAURA ZACCARO and KATIE ESCHERICH
March 1, 2010

Get More Fiber in Your Diet to Improve Health From Marie Savard - ABC News

The essential foods that help you fill up, slim down and stay healthy have one common denominator: fiber.
Companies are touting the fiber content of their products right on the label, which has paid off in sales. And if you choose the right foods, it will pay off for you, too.

You should get 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day, but most Americans barely get half that, according to "GMA" medical contributor Dr. Marie Savard.

Fiber not only helps your waist line, it's great for colon health and lowering "bad" cholesterol, and can alleviate constipation and diverticulitis, a digestive disease. Because it slows sugar absorption, Savard said, fiber also minimizes the insulin spike that can cause metabolic syndrome (a combination of conditions that can lead to heart disease and diabetes).

If that isn't enough, Savard said, she "first got addicted to fiber when I was pregnant with my firstborn" because it helps with hemorrhoids. Pregnant women should be sure to make fiber part of their diet, she said. Introduce more fiber into your diet gradually and vary your fiber sources so you don't get bored with the same foods, Savard said. She recommends drinking a lot of water, because fiber can cause gas and bloating.

5 Essential Foods With Fiber

Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Wheat Bran Cereals
You can get fiber from bran cereals such as Fiber One, which has a whopping 14 grams of fiber in a half cup serving, and All Bran, which has 10.4 grams in a half cup serving, which has 90 calories. You can double your fiber intake simply by switching from white rice to brown rice, Savard said.

Nuts and Seeds: Quinoa, Almonds
For seeds, Savard recommends quinoa, which you can use in place of rice for a change of pace. It has a similar texture and a nuttier taste. "Cook it just like you cook rice," Savard said. In the end, 3½ ounces has 7 grams of fiber.
As for nuts, almonds are a great source of fiber -- 2.4 grams in a quarter cup packs 56 calories and healthy fats and proteins to boot.

5 Ways to Get More Fiber in Your Diet

Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, Broccoli, Figs
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, a great high-fiber choice is a medium apple, which has 70 calories and 4 grams of fiber, Savard said. Raw broccoli has just 20 calories in a 1/2 cup serving and 4 grams of fiber. Three dried figs have 120 calories and 10.5 grams of fiber.

Legumes and Beans: Black Beans
Black beans are great in soup and terrific with brown rice, Savard said. One cup has 190 calories and 19.4 grams of fiber. That's almost a whole day's worth in just a cup.

Psyllium Supplements: One serving or dose of a supplement with psyllium has about 2 grams of fiber.

A Quick Word With Beth Moore: When Godly People Do UnGodly Things

They conquered Him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death. Revelation 12:11

"The more we understand what the covering of Christ's blood means to us, the more we overcome a foe that is otherwise far too strong for us. Satan's worst nightmare is being overcome-particularly by measly mortals."

Quotation from When Godly People Do UnGodly Things By Beth Moore

In Praise of Small Churches: By Joe Mckeever

In Praise of Small Churches: "Abraham Lincoln once said of common folk, 'God must have loved them; He made so many of them.' The same can be said of small churches, but we seem to have forgotten that. Someone should put in a good word for the small church..."